Migrant ‘sanctuary cities’: Federal judge blocks parts of Texas law

San Antonio’s federal court ruled on Wednesday that Texas’ tough “sanctuary cities” law likely violates the constitution and blocked parts of the law two days before it was to take effect. “The court cannot and does not second-guess the legislature, Chief US District Court Judge Orlando Garcia wrote in a 94-page decision. “However, the state may not exercise its authority in a manner that violates the United States Constitution.” The new law, considered one of the toughest anti-illegal immigration efforts in the country, would punish any jurisdiction in Texas that refuses to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Read more: Texas governor signs order to ban sanctuary cities It would have made it possible for police chiefs and sheriffs to be removed from office and face criminal charges for refusing to hold immigrants in their jails until federal agents could pick them up for deportation. The measure, called SB 4, also would have allowed police to ask about people’s immigration status during routine tasks such as traffic stops. Censure from rights groups and businesses The law had been hailed by US President Donald Trump’s administration but harshly criticized by immigrant rights groups who say it would force people to “show papers” based on their appearance. “This law would have essentially created an immigration police state in Texas and the court properly struck it down in all critical respects,” Lee Gelernt, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), said in a statement. Read more: Donald Trump’s immigration proposal pleases his… [Read full story]